System for centralized processing of accounting and payment functions

ABSTRACT

A system for determining and accounting for the costs of transactions. The system is particularly suited for determining and accounting the costs of shipping goods. The system includes an input device which is located at the shipper&#39;s (or other buyer&#39;s) premises and a central data processing facility. The input device receives information defining a shipment sufficiently so that the cost of that shipment may be determined in accordance with the rates of a carrier (or other seller), and uploads the information to the central data processing facility. Preferably, the input device includes rate information and software for determining shipment costs locally. The central data processing facility maintains accounts for a shippers and carriers, appropriately debits and credits costs for each shipment and periodically issues statements of their accounts to all shippers and carriers. In a preferred embodiment, shippers may maintain a payment account with a trustee bank and the system may from time to time issue instruction to the trustee bank to make appropriate payments to each carrier. In another embodiment, carriers may from time to time enter new rate information into the system.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 64,635, filedJun. 22, 1987, now abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 756,420, filed Jul. 18, 1985.

DEFINITIONS

In the present application, the terms listed below will be used with thefollowing meanings when used with initial capitals.

Transaction--The purchase of an item of goods and/or services by a buyerfrom a seller.

Shipment--A Transaction wherein a shipper (buyer) purchasestransportation services for good and/or documents from a carrier(seller). A shipment may include supplemental or ancillary Transactions.

Item Information--Information, other than the cost of the Transaction,which identifies the item in a Transaction.

Piece Information--Item Information, other than the cost of theShipment, which identifies the transportation services in a Shipment.

Rates--Schedules and/or algorithms for computing costs, to the buyer, ofa Transaction. Rates may include discount schedules and/or algorithmsfor determining reductions in standard costs. Such reductions(hereinafter Discounts) may take the form of immediate reductions instandard costs or latter issuance of credits or rebates from a seller toa buyer.

Rating--Determining the cost, to the buyer, of a Transaction from ItemInformation and the Rates of a seller.

Audit--Reconciliation of a seller's bills by or on behalf of a buyer toavoid overpayment.

Transaction (Shipment) Information--Information defining goods and/orservices in a Transaction (Shipment) at least sufficiently so that thestandard cost of the Transaction (Shipment) may be determined, and buyer(Shipper) identification, if more than one, and seller (carrier)identification, if more than one.

Producing Transaction (Shipment) Information--Assembling and formattingItem (Piece) Information about a Transaction (Shipment) in apre-determined format for further processing. May include a Ratingfunction so that Transaction Information produced includes the cost ofthe Transaction (Shipment).

Determining Transaction (Shipment) Costs--Either directly taking thecost from Rated Transaction Information, or Rating unrated TransactionInformation.

Bill of Lading--Information defining items in a particular consignmentat least sufficiently so that the cost for that consignment may bedetermined; also serves as a receipt for goods delivered to a carrier.

Manifest--Bill of Lading information plus shipping costs.

Freight Bill--Bill from a carrier to a shipper for shipping costs forone or more consignments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention relates to data processing systems for accountingfor the costs of Transactions. More particularly, it relates to a dataprocessing system for centrally handling the accounting and paymentfunctions in the shipping industry.

FIG. 1 shows, in highly simplified form, a typical flow of goods,information, and funds between shippers and carriers. A Shipper 10,which includes a Shipping Department 12 and a Accounts PayableDepartment 14, delivers good with a Bill of Lading to a Carrier 20.Simultaneously, Shipping Department 12 transmits the Bill of Lading toAccounts Payable Department 14. From the information on the Bill ofLading, and possibly other Bills of Lading, Carrier 20 periodicallydetermines the amounts it believes it is owed by Shipper 10 and submitsa Freight Bill to Accounts Payable Department 14. Department 14 Auditsthe Freight Bills and, if considered correct, issues payment to Carrier20. When it is considered that Shipper 10 and Carrier 20 each also dealwith numerous other carriers and shippers respectively, the enormouscomplexity of the network defined by the transportation industry mayeasily be appreciated. Further, though not shown in FIG. 1, the need toRate each shipment also greatly complicates the task of Carrier 20 andAccounts Payable Department 14. Rating involves the determination of theshipping costs for each item shipped as a function both of informationabout that item, such as weight, size, destination, type of goods,applicable Discounts, etc., and the rates of a particular carrier.Rating is usually double checked, at least on a sampling basis, duringthe Audit function to avoid overpayment by the shipper. (Alternatively,the shipper may perform the original Rating, in which case the carrierwill find it necessary to double check.)

Numerous attempts have been made to simplify the accounting and paymenttask depicted in FIG. 1. A non-profit organization known as "TheTransportation Data Coordinating Committee" (TDCC) has developed andpromulgated a standard for the electronic exchange of information amongshippers, carriers and other members of the transportation industry.This standard is essentially a set of electronic "forms" which membersof the industry may use for electronic communication. While clearly agreat step forward, the standard by itself does no more than replacepaper forms with copper wires and does nothing to reduce the inherentcomplexity of the network shown in FIG. 1 or the difficulty of the tasksperformed by carriers and shippers in accounting and paying fortransportation. A corporation doing business as Trans Payment, Inc.provides a central switch or protocol converter, to facilitate use ofthe TDCC standard. While again perhaps representing a step forward sucha switch does not reduce the complexity of the network of FIG. 1 or ofthe tasks of the carriers and shippers.

Freight agents and forwarders who arrange and schedule shipments forshippers are known. Such agents and forwarders also receive freightbills from carriers and pass them on to shippers.

A company doing business as Numerex, Inc. provides a third party servicefor auditing freight bills. Essentially, Numerex provides a third partyAccounts Payable Department. Such third party Accounts Payable serviceshave also been provided by banks. Numerex is also believed to provide acomputerized third party Rating service.

Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that none of theservices provided by any of the above-described organizations operatesto change the essential nature of the network described in FIG. 1.Accordingly, it is an object of the subject invention to provide asystem which will simplify the flow of information and payments betweenshippers and carriers.

It is a further object of the subject invention to provide a systemwhich will reduce or eliminate the need for duplication of effort inRating of shipments.

It is still a further object of the subject invention to provide asystem which may be operated by a third party not involved in providingthe goods and/or services which are the subject of the Shipment or otherTransaction.

It is still another object of the subject invention which will allowshippers (buyers) and carriers (sellers) to control the "float" (i.e.,funds left on deposit to cover future expenditures) in payments due byagreement.

Other objects and advantages of the subject invention will be apparentto those skilled in the art from consideration of the attached drawingsand the detailed description set forth below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of the typical flow of goods andinformation in the shipment industry.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of the flow of goods andinformation in the shipment industry between shippers and carriers usingan embodiment of the subject invention.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of the flow of goods andinformation in the shipment industry between shippers and carriers usinganother embodiment of the subject invention having expanded capabilitiesincluding the capability to handle payment, rebate and credit functions.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of a data processing center anda plurality of input devices used in the subject invention.

FIG. 5 shows a structure diagram of the software modules and data flowsbetween modules used in the data processing center of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows the data structure for the data base of FIG. 5.

FIGS. 7-9 show various reports generated by data processing center 30for users of the system of the subject invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE SUBJECT INVENTION

FIG. 2 shows in simplified schematic form the flow of goods,information, and payments between shippers and carriers who utilize asystem in accordance with the subject invention. In the system shown inFIG. 2, a Data Processing Center 30 is provided at a central locationand an Input Device 32 is provided at the Shipping Department 12 ofShipper 10. Shipping Department 12 uses Input Device 32 to input PieceInformation for the goods of a shipment. Input device 32 produces aShipment Information which is transmitted to Data Processing Center 30.(It is within the contemplation of the subject invention that the Ratingfunction may be carried out either locally by Input Device 32 orcentrally by Data Processing Center 30 using current carrier rates whichare stored at the appropriate location in a manner which will be morefully described below.) Goods and Bills of Lading are delivered toCarrier 20 as in FIG. 1. However, the Bill of Lading delivered toCarrier 20 is only necessary for physical control of the goods, thoughof course Carrier 20 may use it to check on the operation of the systemof the subject invention. Data Processing Center 30 receives theShipment Information and Rates the shipment if this function has notalready been performed by Input Device 32. Data Processing Center 30operates to maintain accounts for Shipper 10 and Carrier 20, as well asall other shippers and carriers who use the system and updates theseaccounts, or databases, each time Shipment Information is received fromInput Device 32. Data Processing Center 30 debits the account of Shipper10 and credits the account of Carrier 20 for the amount of the shippingcosts. Periodically, Data Processing Center 30 issues statements ofaccounts receivable to Carrier 20 as well as all other carriers usingthe system and statements of accounts payable to Shipper 10 as well asall other shippers using the system. Thus, Shipper 10 and Carrier 20each periodically receive a single statement of all amounts due them andpayable by them, respectively; greatly simplifying the accountingfunction associated with the transportation of goods both for Shipper 10and Carrier 20.

However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the simplifiedsystem of FIG. 2 still leaves the billing and payment functions to behandled by Shipper 10 and Carrier 20. Thus the expanded system accordingto the subject invention as shown in FIG. 3 may be used to furthersimplify the accounting and payment function for the transportation ofgoods. The system of FIG. 3 operates substantially in the same mannerwith respect to Shipper 10 and Carrier 20 as the system of FIG. 2 butincludes additional paths for communicating with a Trustee Bank 40.Shipper 10, and all other shippers who use the system, periodically, oron an as needed basis, deposit funds to accounts maintained in TrusteeBank 40 which acts as custodian. Trustee Bank 40 communicatesinformation concerning the funds available to Shipper 10, and othershippers, to Data Processing Center 30. From time to time, DataProcessing Center 30 will issue payment directions to Bank 40 toappropriately debit the accounts of the shippers who use the system andissue appropriate payments to the carriers who use the system. Thus,Shipper 10 need only make payments to bank 40 while Carrier 20 willreceive a single payment for the total amount due from all shippers.Consideration of the system shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 will provide thoseskilled in the art with an understanding of how systems in accordancewith the subject invention operate to simplify the accounting andpayment function involved in the transportation of goods.

Turning to FIG. 4 there is shown a more detailed depiction of apreferred embodiment of the system of the subject invention. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 4, input device 32 comprises a modified versionof a Manifest System such as the CPSS system marketed by Pitney BowesInc. of Stamford, Conn. Manifest systems are microcomputer based systemswhich input Piece Information from scales, keyboards, wand readers,etc., and generate a Manifest for a shipment based on this PieceInformation and stored rates for a carrier. In a conventional ManifestSystem such as the CPSS, Rates are stored on floppy disks which arereplaced from time to time with new disks containing the most recentrates. In general, techniques for determining shipping or mailing costssuch as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,286,325 are well known andneed not be discussed further here for an understanding of the subjectinvention.

In FIG. 4, Input Devices 32-1 through 32-N are located at shippinglocations 1 through N. Input device 32-1 at shipping location 1 istypical and comprises a Manifest System 32-1A modified by the additionof conventional communications hardware and software 32-1B and a modem32-1C to provide a communications link over the national telephonenetwork 35 to Data Processing Center 30 in a conventional manner.Communications between Input Devices 32-1 through 32-N are handled in amanner which is well understood by those skilled in the art and furtherdetails are not necessary to an understanding of the invention. Itshould also be noted that various well-known error correcting techniquesto improve the accuracy of transmission may be used. The communicationscapability provided by hardware and software 32-1B and modem 32-1C isused to upload blocks of Shipment Information to Data Processing Center30 for each shipment, and from time to time download current Rates foreach shipper on the system from Data Processing Center 30, rather thanupdating rates by replacement of a local floppy disk.

Input Devices 32 generate Manifests for each shipment in essentially thesame manner as the presently marketed CPSS System and preferablyprovides local hard copies of the Manifest for use by the shipper and/oras a Bill of Lading for the carrier. The information is also storedlocally and shipper and carrier identification added, if necessary, toProduce Rated Shipment Information, which is periodically transmitted toData Processing Center 30.

Typical Shipment Information provided is shown in Table 1. Thisinformation is used to update the databases for the shipper and carrierinvolved and the total shipping cost is debited to the shipper's accountand credited to the carrier's account. Periodically, statements ofaccounts and management reports are provided to the carriers andshippers over communications links 34 and 36. Examples of such reportsare shown in FIGS. 7 through 9. Carriers also may use communicationsChannel 36 to provide Data Processing Center 30 with updated rates fromtime to time. Data Processing Center 30 also includes communicationchannel 38 for communications with Trustee Bank 40. Data ProcessingCenter 30 may either periodically or upon request by a shipper issuepayment instructions to Trustee Bank 40 to debit the shipper's bankaccount and make appropriate payments to various carriers. Bank 40 alsouses communications channel to provide Data Processing Center 30 withinformation as to the amount of funds available in shipper's accounts,which information Data Processing Center 30 in turn uses to notifyshippers when funds are needed in their account with Bank 40.Communications with Bank 40 are preferably carried out in accordancewith conventional banking procedures.

As may also be seen from FIG. 3, similar flows of funds and informationfrom Carrier 20 allow Carrier 20 to give rebates and credits to Shipper10. (By "rebate" herein is meant a transfer of funds, or theirequivalent, from a carrier to a shipper, and by "credits", herein ismeant an allowance made by a carrier to a shipper against futureservices.)

The design and implementation of Data Processing Center 30 is aconventional matter of systems design based upon the size of the networkof shippers and carriers using the system and the data flowsanticipated. With such information, a systems designer of ordinary skillcould easily select a properly sized computer, appropriate storage, andappropriate communications apparatus. It should be noted thatcommunications channels 34, 36, and 38 are considered to be completelygeneral; and thus in a small prototype system might comprise linkagesthrough an operator to the currently existing mail, telephone or telexsystems or in larger systems might comprise leased or dial-upconnections to the telephone network or hardwired connections.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a structural description for the softwarefor Data Processing Center 30 is shown.

FIG. 5 shows a structure diagram of the various software modules used inData Processing Center 30.

Communications Input System 100 comprises software for receiving variousclasses of inputs (hereinafter messages). These messages are: ShipmentInformation from Shippers, Rate Change Acknowledgements from Shippers,Credit and Rebate Information from Carriers, Rate Updates from Carriers,Funds Information from Trustee Bank 40, and Payment Verification fromTrustee Bank 40. Shipment Information is transmitted to Data ProcessingCenter 30 electronically, preferably over the dial-up telephone network,and Rate Change Acknowledgments are also preferably transmittedelectronically. Preferably the integrity of the Shipment Information isassured by the use of a conventional cyclic redundancy code (hereinafterCRC). The authenticity of the Shipment Information may also be assuredby the use of such well-known techniques as encryption, passwords,and/or call-back communications protocols. Other types of messages maybe transmitted to Data Processing Center 30 either electronically orthrough methods involving data entry by an operator; depending upon thenumber of users of the system and the desired response times.

A more detailed description of the meaning and function of each class ofmessage is set forth below.

Communications Input System 100 verifies the messages received andstores them in Buffer 102.

Preprocessor 104 retrieves the verified data from Buffer 102, makes anynecessary changes to the format of the messages contained in theverified data to generate update data for Data Base 110, and transmitsthe update data to Data Base Manager 106.

Data Base Manager 106 stores and retrieves information from Data Base110 in response to requests from other software modules in the system ina manner which will be more fully described below.

Accounting System 108 from time to time receives update data and thecurrent data base from Data Base 110 and updates the current data basein accordance with the update data in a manner which will be describedmore fully below. The updated data base is then returned to Data Base110.

Report Generator 112 receives the current data base from Data Base 110and generates various outputs (hereinafter reports) and returns variousreport flags to Data Base 110 to indicate that particular reports havebeen generated. The format and times of these reports are specified byparameters stored in Customer Format Table 114. The following reportsare generated; Management Reports to Shippers, Rates to Shippers,Deposit Requests to Shippers, Management Reports to Carriers, DepositRequest to Carriers, Transfer Requests to Trustee Bank 40, and InternalReports. Preferably, the Rates will be transmitted to Shipperselectronically over the dial-telephone network but, as with the messagesdescribed above, other reports may be transmitted by various means whichmay include operator intervention. It should be noted that the InternalReports include such information as data base dumps, error reports, andother information useful in maintaining, debugging, and/or operating thesystem. Such Internal Reports are well-known and understood by thoseskilled in the art and need not be described further here for anunderstanding of the subject invention. Other reports are described morefully below.

Communications Output System 116 provides software for handling thevarious output devices, including the electronic connection to InputDevice 32 and also software for the implementation for any techniqueswhich are desired for error detection/correction and/or assuring reportauthenticity. It should be noted that it is believed preferable thatcommunications with Trustee Bank 40 be carried out in accordance withestablished standards in the banking industry for electronic fundstransfer.

Scheduler/Auditor 118 has two functions. First it schedules access byvarious modules to the system resources. That is, it specifies thesequence in which the various modules run. This scheduling may be eitherevent or schedule driven. In smaller systems with relatively few users,it is believed preferable that Scheduler/Auditor 118 be event driven sothat as each module completes it task, Schedule/Auditor 118 calls thenext needed module. In larger systems with greater numbers of users, itsis believed preferable that Scheduler/Auditor 118 sequence the variousmodules in accordance with a pre-defined schedule. For example, duringbusiness hours Communications Input System 100, Buffer 102, Preprocessor104, and Data Base Manager 106 might be run to store incoming messages;with accounting and report generation scheduled for the late nighthours.

The second function of Scheduler/Auditor Auditor 118 is to maintain adetailed audit trail of the operation of the system. It records eachmessage entered, each report generated, and each access to Data Base110. This audit trail is useful for maintenance and debugging of thesystem, and, more importantly, provides a high degree of securityagainst attempts by dishonest operators or "hackers" who might try tomodify the system to illegally divert funds.

It should be understood that each of the various modules described aboverepresents functions that are well known in the data processing art anda person skilled in the art could easily implement such modules giventhe specification for a system in accordance with the subject inventionin terms of structure, hardware, number of users, desired response time,and anticipated data rates.

FIG. 6 shows the information stored in Data Base 110. Data Base 110comprises Shipment Data Base 200, Account Data Base 300 and may furthercomprise Carrier Rate Data Base 400.

Shipment Data Base 200 comprises files associated with each shipper,carrier pair. In FIG. 6 the file for the ith shipper and jth carrier isshown and identified by shipper ID 202 and Carrier ID 204. PieceInformation and Costs payable by the shipper 202, and receivable by thecarrier 204, represent information periodically uploaded from InputDevice 32 identifying particular shipments. Associated with information206 are a number of variables and flags. Debit 208 represents the dollaramount to be debited from the shipper's account and credited to thecarrier's account. Deposit Request 210 represents a dollar amount to bedeposited by the shipper if his available balance is not sufficient.Payment Request Flag 212 is a flag set for Report Generator 112requesting Report Generator 112 to generate a Funds Transfer Request toTrustee Bank 40 for the payment of Debit 208 to the jth carrier. FundsTransfer Requested Flag 214 signals that Report Generator 112 has issuedthe Funds Transfer Request. Payment Verification Information 216 isreturned from Trustee Bank 40 to verify that the requested funds havebeen transferred. Because of delays in processing, additionalinformation, cost, and associated variables and flags for othershipments maybe stored in Shipment Data Base before information 206 isprocessed. Such additional information is shown at 218 in FIG. 6. PieceInformation and Costs paid 220 is information describing shipments forwhich the costs have been paid. Rebate Information payable by thecarrier and receivable by the shipper is information describing cashrebates paid to the ith shipper by the jth carrier. Associated withRebate Information 222 are variables and flags 224 which function in anidentical manner to those described above. Rebate Information paid 226similarly stores information about rebates paid. Credit Available 228 isa variable representing the amount of credit advanced by the jth carrierto the ith shipper against future charges. Credit Information 230 is achronological record of credits issued. Posted Flag 232 is a flag setwhen the total amount of credit identified by Credit Information 230 isadded to Credit Available 228. Other Credit Information and itsassociated Posted Flag are shown at 234.

Summaries 236 represent various summaries of the above information whichmaybe necessary for the generation of management reports as will bedescribed below. Such summaries need not be included in the Data Basebut may, alternatively, be generated by Report Generator when themanagement reports are generated.

Account Data Base 300 comprises files for each shipper or carrierrepresenting the status of that shipper or carrier's account at TrusteeBank 40. In FIG. 6 the account file for the kth shipper (carrier) isidentified by ID 302. Beginning Balance 304 represents the balance atthe beginning of the current reporting period, Current Balance 306represents the current balance, Available Balance 308 represents thecurrent balance less any amounts due but not yet paid, and Due Balance310 represents the sum of any amounts receivable but not yet paid.Account Activity 312 represents a chronological record of the activityof the kth shippers account. Deposit Information 314 is informationreceived from Trustee Bank 40 specifying deposits made to the account.Summaries 316 maybe included to simplify report generation as describedabove. Last Update 318 and Last Management Report 320 are variablesidentifying the date of the last update of the account file of the kthshipper and the date of the last Management Report to the kth shipper.

Data Base 110 may also include Carrier Rate Data Base 400 for eachcarrier. in FIG. 6 the file for the lth carrier is identified by ID 402.Current Rates 404 represents the rates currently in effect for the lthcarrier. Rate Updates 406 represents information specifying new ratesreceived from the lth carrier. Rate Change Request Flag 408 is a flagwhich requests Report Generator 112 to transmit new rates to allshippers. Rate Change Requested Flag is a flag set by Report Generator112 indicating that a new set of rates has been transmitted to theshippers. Rate Change Acknowledged Flags 412 are flags representingacknowledgement by each shipper that it has received the new rates.

It should be noted that it is within the completion of the subjectinvention that carriers may wish to have different Rates for differentshippers or classes of shippers. In this event, files identified bycarrier, shipper pairs could easily be implemented in essentially thesame manner described above.

The system of the present embodiment of the subject invention interactswith users to perform 6 basic functions which will be described furtherbelow. Additionally, the system also generates Internal Reports asdescribed above. For each basic function the system responds to inputmessages and/or generates output reports. Each of the various classes ofinput messages shown in FIG. 5 are received by Communications InputSystem 100 which verifies the data received. Preferably, verificationwill include CRC Check to verify message integrity and may include otherprocedures such as passwords to verify authenticity of the source.System 100 then stores the Verified Data in Buffer 102. In response toScheduler/Auditor 118, Preprocessor 104 retrieves the Verified Data fromBuffer 102, reformats the Verified Data, as necessary, to conform to thesystem formats and transmits Update Data to the Data Base Manager 106which stores it in Data Base 110. Output from the system consists ofreports from Report Generator 112. Report Generator 112 responds toScheduler/Auditor 118 to periodically examine Data Base 110 to retrieveinformation for the generation of output reports. These reports aregenerated in a format stored in Customer Format Table 114. Table 114 mayalso store scheduling information for the generation of reports, such asManagement Reports, which are desired by users on a scheduled basis.Reports are transmitted by Report Generator 112 to Communications OutputSystem 116. System 116 handles the routine housekeeping functions forcommunication through the various output channels used by the system andimplements whatever functions are considered necessary to secure thedata in terms of accuracy, confidentiality, and/or authenticity.

Since each basic function of a system involves the same techniques forinput and output it will be understood that reference in thedescriptions in the basic functions set forth below to information ormessages "received" or "outputs generated" refers to the operationsdescribed immediately above.

SHIPMENT

The Shipment Function begins when Input Device 32 transmits a block ofShipment Information describing one or more Shipments to CommunicationsInput System 100. In the preferred embodiment shown this ShipmentInformation will be rated by Input Device 32, however, it is within thecontemplation of the subject invention that the Shipment Informationmaybe Rated by Data Processing Center 30. The information is receivedand Piece Information and Costs for each item shipped by the ith shipperthrough the jth carrier is stored in Shipment Data Base at 206. Then, inresponse to Scheduler/Auditor 118, Accounting System 108, accesses DataBase 110 and calculates Debit 208 as the difference between the sum ofCosts 206 and Credit Available 228, to a minimum of zero, andaccordingly updates Credit Available 228. Accounting System 108 thensubtracts Debit 208 from Available Balance 308 for the ith shipper. IfAvailable Balance 308 is insufficient, Accounting System 108 restoresBalance 308 and Credit Available 228 and sets Deposit Request 210 withthe necessary amount of deposit. System 108 then adds Debit 208 to dueBalance 310 for the jth carrier and takes no further action until adeposit is made in a manner which will be described below. WhenAvailable Balance 308 exceeds Debit 208, Accounting System 108 setsPayment Request Flag 212 (and again updates Credit Available 228 andBalance 308, if necessary). In response to Scheduler/Auditor 118, ReportGenerator 112 then accesses Data Base 110. In response to PaymentRequest Flag 212, Report Generator 112 generates a Funds TransferRequest to Trustee Bank 40 to transfer funds equal to Debit 208 from theaccount of the ith shipper to the account of the jth carrier and setsFunds Transfer Requested Flag 214. When Trustee Bank 40 makes the fundstransfer it returns a Payment Verification to Input System 100. Thisinformation is received and stored in Payment Verification Information216. When Accounting System 108 next accesses Shipment Data Base 200 inresponse to Payment Verification Information 216 it transfers PieceInformation and Costs payable/receivable 206 to Piece Information andCosts paid 220, subtracts Debit 208 from Current Balance 306 of the ithshipper and adds it to Current Balance 306 of the jth carrier, addsDebit 208 to Available Balance 308 of the jth carrier and subtracts itfrom Due Balance 310 of the jth carrier. Payments and receipts are thenrecorded in Account Activity 312 for both the ith shipper and the jthcarrier.

It should be noted that a "rate shopping" function is within thecontemplation of the subject invention. For such a "shopping" functionShipment Information for a hypothetical Shipment would be Rated asdescribed above, without however accounting for or paying the costsdetermined. Instead the costs (including any Discounts) are returned tothe shipper for comparison with the costs of other carriers.

REBATES

Rebates represent a cash payment from a shipper to a carrier and areinitiated when Rebate Information is received by the system. The systemthen acts in a manner complimentary to that described for Shipmentsabove, except that rebates are payments from carriers to shippers. Thenecessary data elements are stored in Shipment Data Base 200 at 222,224, and 226.

CREDITS

A credit Function is initiated by receipt of a Credit InformationMessage by the system. Credit Information is stored in Data Base 110 at230. When Accounting System 108 next accesses Data Base 110, it adds thesum of Credit Information 230 to Credit Available 228 and set postedFlag 232. Additional Credit Information may then be stored at 234.

DEPOSIT

The Deposit Function maybe initiated either when Report Generator 108generates a Deposit Request in response to a Deposit Request Flag set byAccording System 108 or it may be initiated when a user decides to addfunds to his account with Trustee Bank 40 on its own initiative. It iswithin the contemplation of the subject invention that users maymaintain lines of credit with Trustee Bank 40 and Deposit Requests maybe sent to Bank 40 directly. When Bank 40 receives the funds ittransmits a Funds Information message to the system. The information isreceived and stored in Account Data Base 300 as Deposit Information 314for the appropriate shipper or carrier. When Accounting System 108 nextaccesses Account Data Base 300, it adds the sum of all deposits storedin Deposit Information 314 to Current Balance and Available Balance 306and 308 and transfers Deposit Information 314 to Account Activity 312.

MANAGEMENT REPORTS

Management Reports are generated by Report Generator 112 which accessesData Base 110 on a scheduled basis as determined by the requests of theusers and stored in Customer Format Table 114. Report Generator 112retrieves the necessary information from Data Base 110 and transmits itto Communications Output System 116 in a predetermined format stored inCustomer Format Table 114. (As noted above, summaries included in theManagement Reports may either be computed by Accounting System 108 andstored as Summaries 236 and 316, or maybe calculated by Report Generator112.)

Typical reports to a shipper are shown in FIGS. 7 through 9 which willbe described more fully below. It will be readily apparent that similarreports could be generated for carriers.

FIG. 7 shows a summary Shipment Report for a period from data 502through data 504. Dates 502 and 504 are taken from Account Data Base 300beginning data 502 being stored in Last Update 318 by Accounting System108 at the time of the last update and ending date 504 being taken fromLast Management Report 320 where it was stored by Report Generator 112at the time of the last management report. Field 506 identifies theshipper. Field 508 gives the totals for various elements of activity forthe reporting period. Field 510 breaks down the totals in Field 508 byparticular carrier.

FIG. 8 shows a continuation of the Shipment Report which provides adetailed breakdown by carrier of the information summarized above. Field512 identifies a carrier. Field 514 defines codes for the mode (or classof service) and Field 516 defines codes for special fees. Field 518repeats the summary information for the carrier identified in Field 512.Field 520 provides a chronological breakdown of shipment activity withthe carrier identified in 512. Similar reports (not shown) are of courseprovided for all other carriers active in that period. FIG. 9 shows anAccount Activity Report for the period beginning with date 602 andending with date 604. These dates are taken from Last Management Report320 and Last Update 318. Field 600 identifies the shipper. Field 606summarizes the account activity for the period. Field 608 is achronological report of the account activity for the period.

RATE CHANGE

The Rate Change Function is initiated when the system receives RateUpdate information from a carrier. The information is stored in RateUpdates 406 of Carrier Rate Data Base 400. When Accounting System 108next accesses Data Base 110, it updates Current Rates 404 with rateupdates 406 to generate new current rates and set Rate Change RequestFlag 408. When Report Generator 112 next accesses Data Base 110, itgenerates a Rates Report to all shippers and sets the Rate ChangeRequested Flag 410. Each shipper acknowledges the new Rates bytransmitting a Rate Change Acknowledge Message which is received and isstored in Rate Change Acknowledge Flags 412. It should be noted that itis also within the contemplation of the subject invention to implement atime dependent rate schedule. That is a rate schedule where rates wouldchange at predetermined times (e.g., special rates for off hourshipments). Such Rates could be stored in the system and Current Rates404 updated in response to a schedule stored in Customer Format Table114.

Detailed descriptions of preferred embodiments of the subject inventionas described above and illustrated in the attached figures have beenprovided by way of illustration only. Those skilled in the art willreadily recognize many other embodiments which are within the scope ofthe subject invention. In particular, systems in accordance with thesubject invention could prove useful in simplifying the accounting andpayment function in any situation where a number of buyers engage in alarge number of Transactions with one or more sellers. Accordingly,limitations on the subject invention are to be found only in the claimsset forth below.

TABLE 1--SHIPMENT INFORMATION (TYP.)

TRANSACTION #

INVOICE #

SERVICE--MODE OF SHIPMENT

WEIGHT

ZIP CODE

ZONE

TOTAL SHIPPING COST

ACCOUNT NUMBER

DECLARED VALUE

COD

AOD

OVERSIZE (PARCEL)

RATED WEIGHT

TRANSACTION DATE

TRANSACTION TIME

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for accounting for Transaction costscomprising:a) input means for inputting Item Information and forproducing Transaction Information in accordance with said ItemInformation; b) data processing means responsive to said TransactionInformation for:b1) maintaining accounts for a plurality of distinct;unrelated buyers and a group of sellers consisting of at least oneseller; said accounts including a cumulative record of amounts payableto said buyers or due said sellers: and, for a Transaction processed bysaid system, b2) Determining Transaction Costs and identifying a seller,selected by a buyer, initiating said Transaction, said buyer havingaccess to Rates preestablished by said identified seller, from saidgroup in accordance with said Transaction Information: b3) debiting anaccount of said buyer for the amount of said Transaction costs andcrediting an account of said identified seller with said amount; and b4)generating statements of their accounts for said buyers and said sellerssaid statements for said buyers identifying amounts due each of saidsellers, and said statements for said sellers identifying amounts duefrom each of said buyers; and, c) communications means for transmittingsaid Transaction Information from said input means to said dataprocessing means.
 2. A system as described in claim 1 further comprisingmeans for assuring the authenticity of transmissions of said TransactionInformation.
 3. A system as described in claim 1 wherein said dataprocessing means further comprises a data base system means formaintaining a data base and is further responsive to said TransactionInformation for:a) storing Item Information and Transaction costs in afirst file in said data base, said file being associated with said buyerand said identified seller; and, b) debiting and crediting said accountsin accordance with said Transaction costs stored in said first file,said accounts being stored in account files in said data base.
 4. Asystem as described in claim 3 wherein; said Item Information andTransaction costs are retained in said first file after said accountsare debited and credited; said data processing system adds additionalinformation to said first file indicating that said Transaction costshave been debited and credited so that said Item Information andTransaction costs are not again debited and credited to said accounts;and said data processing system includes said Item Information and saidTransaction costs in said statements.
 5. A system as described in claim3 wherein said seller maintains a funds account with a seller'scustodian, further comprising:a) fifth communications means fortransmitting rebate information defining an amount to be paid by saidseller to said buyer from said seller to said data processing means; b)said data processing means being responsive to said rebate informationto instruct said seller's custodian to debit said seller's funds accountand issue payment to said buyer for the amount defined by said rebateinformation.
 6. A system as described in claim 1 wherein said inputmeans further comprises means for storing Rates for each of said groupof sellers said input means being further for Rating each Transactionand generating Rated Transaction Information. PG,29
 7. A system asdescribed in claim 6 wherein said data processing means furthercomprises second communication means for communicating with each of saidgroup of sellers so that said sellers may transmit current Rates to saiddata processing means, and wherein further said data processing means inresponse to receipt of said current Rate Information downloads saidcurrent Rates to said input means through said first communicationmeans.
 8. A system as described in claim 1 further comprising aplurality of said input means located at the premises of a correspondingplurality of buyers and wherein further said data processing meansmaintains accounts for each of said buyers, and Transaction Informationincludes information identifying said corresponding buyer, said dataprocessing means debiting said accounts of said identified correspondingbuyer for the amount of transaction costs in accordance with saidTransaction Information.
 9. A system as described in claim 1 whereinsaid buyer maintains a funds account with a custodian, and said systemfurther comprises third communication means for communicating betweensaid custodian and said data processing means and said data processingmeans periodically instructs said custodian to debit said buyer's fundsaccount for the total amount due from said buyer to said group of sellerand to issue appropriate payments to each of said sellers.
 10. A systemas described in claim 9 further comprising a plurality of said inputmeans located at the premises of a corresponding plurality of buyers andwherein further said data processing means maintains accounts for eachof said buyers, and Transaction Information includes informationidentifying said corresponding buyer, said data processing meansdebiting said accounts of said identified corresponding buyers for theamount of Transaction costs in accordance with said TransactionInformation.
 11. A system as described in claim 10 wherein said dataprocessing means further comprises a data base system means formaintaining a data base and is further responsive to said TransactionInformation for:a) storing Item Information and Transaction costs in afirst file in said database, said file being identified with saidcorresponding buyer and said identified seller; and, b) debiting theaccount of said corresponding buyer and crediting the account of saididentified seller in accordance with sand Transaction cost stored insaid first file, said accounts being stored in account files in saiddata base.
 12. A system as described in claim 11 wherein; said ItemInformation and Transaction costs are retained in said first file aftersaid accounts are debited and credited; said data processing system addsadditional information to said first file indicating that saidTransaction costs have been debited and credited so that said ItemInformation and Transaction costs are not again debited and credited tosaid accounts; and said data processing system includes said ItemInformation and said Transaction costs in said statements.
 13. A systemsfor accounting for Shipment costs, comprising:a) input means forinputting Piece Information and for producing Shipment Information inaccordance with said Piece Information; b) data processing meansresponsive to said Shipment Information for:b1) maintaining accounts fora plurality of distinct, unrelated shippers and a group of carriers,consisting of at least one carrier; said accounts including a cumulativerecord of amounts payable by said shippers or due said carriers; and,for a Shipment processed by said system, b2) determining Shipment Costsand identifying a carrier, selected by a shipper originating saidshipment, said shipper having access to Rates prestablished by saidcarrier, from said group in accordance with said Shipment Information;b3) debiting an account of said shipper for the amount of said Shipmentcosts and crediting an account of said identified carrier with saidamount; and, b4) generating statements of their accounts for saidshippers and said carriers, said statements for said shippersidentifying amounts due each of said carriers and said statements forsaid group of carriers identifying amounts due from each of saidshippers; and, c) communications means for transmitting said ShipmentInformation from said input means to said data processing means.
 14. Asystem described in claim 13 further comprising means for assuring theauthenticity of transmissions of said Shipment Information.
 15. A systemas described in claim 13 wherein said data processing means furthercomprises a data base system means for maintaining a data base and isfurther responsive to said Shipment Information for:a) storing PieceInformation and Shipment costs in a first file in said data base, saidfile being associated with said shipper and said identified carrier;and, b) debiting and crediting said accounts in accordance with saidShipment costs stored in said first file, said accounts being stored inaccount files in said data base.
 16. A system as described in claim 15wherein; said Piece Information and Shipment costs are retained in saidfirst file after said accounts are debited and credited; said dataprocessing system adds additional information to said first fileindicating that said Shipment costs have been debited and credited sothat said Piece Information and Shipment costs are not again debited andcredited to said accounts; and said data processing system includes saidPiece Information and Shipment costs are not again debited and creditedto said accounts; and said data processing system includes said PieceInformation and said Shipment costs in said statements.
 17. A system asdescribed in claim 13 wherein said input means further comprises meansfor storing Rates for each of said group of carriers, said input meansbeing further for Rating each transaction and generating Rated ShipmentInformation.
 18. A system as described in claim 17 wherein said dataprocessing means further comprises second communication means forcommunicating with each of said group of carriers so that said carriersmay transmit current Rates to said data processing means, and whereinfurther said data processing means in response to receipt of saidcurrent Rate information downloads said current Rates to said inputmeans through said first communication means.
 19. A system as describedin claim 13 further comprising a plurality of said input means locatedat the premises of a corresponding plurality of shippers and whereinfurther said data processing means maintains accounts for each of saidshippers and Shipment Information includes information identifying saidcorresponding shipper, said data processing means debiting said accountsof said identified corresponding shippers for the amount of shipmentcosts in accordance with said Shipment Information.
 20. A system asdescribed in claim 13 wherein said shipper maintains a funds accountwith a custodian, and said system further comprises third communicationmeans for communicating between said custodian and said data processingmeans and said data processing means periodically instructs saidcustodian to debit said shipper's funds account for the total amount duefrom said shipper to said group of carriers and to issue appropriatepayments to each of said carriers.
 21. A system as described in claim 20further comprising a plurality of said input means located at thepremises of a corresponding plurality of shippers and wherein furthersaid data processing means maintains accounts for each of said shippers,and Shipment Information includes information identifying saidcorresponding shipper, said data processing means debiting said accountsof said identified corresponding shippers for the amount of shipmentcosts in accordance with said Shipment Information.
 22. A system asdescribed in claim 21 wherein said data processing means furthercomprises a data base system means for maintaining a data base and isfurther responsive to said Shipment Information for:a) storing PieceInformation and Shipment costs in a first file in said data base, saidfile being identified with said corresponding shipper and saididentified carrier; and, b) debiting the account of said correspondingshipper and crediting the account of said identified carrier inaccordance with said Shipment cost stored in said first file, saidaccounts being stored in account files in said data base.
 23. A systemas described in claim 22 wherein; said Piece Information and Shipmentcosts are retained in said first file after said accounts are debitedand credited; said data processing system adds additional information tosaid first file indicating that said Shipment costs have been debitedand credited so that said Piece Information and Shipment costs are notagain debited and credited to said accounts; and said data processingsystem includes said Piece Information and said Transaction costs insaid statements.
 24. A system as described in claim 15 wherein saidcarrier maintains a funds account with a carrier's custodian, furthercomprising:a) fifth communications means for transmitting rebateinformation defining an amount to be paid buyer said carrier to saidshipper from said carrier to said data processing means; b) said dataprocessing means being responsive to said rebate information to instructsaid carrier's custodian to debit said carriers funds account and issuepayment to said buyer for the amount defined by said rebate information.